RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIPA guide to keeping your dog safe and healthy in the community.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

P 1300 GOLDCOAST (1300 465 326) W cityofgoldcoast.com.au

A maximum of two (2) dogs may be kept at a property. Approval must be sought to keep additional dogs.

Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times when in a public place, unless in a designated off leash area. Ensure you carry a supply of dog waste bags and pick up and dispose of your dog’s waste in an appropriate manner.

Ensure your information is up to date with:

• City’s Animal Management team• your dog’s microchipping service provider• your vet.

This will assist in the identification and return of your dog if it becomes lost.

Dogs communicate using body and vocal language. Understanding these signals may reduce the risk of a dog attack in the community. A dog may indicate that it wants to be left alone by:

• moving away• showing teeth or growling• body stiffness with hard staring eyes• hair on neck or back stands up• tail stiff and wagging slowly.

Safety tips to be pet smart:

• always supervise children around dogs• recognise the warning signs • educate the family.

Help reduce barking - refer back page

Cater to your dog’s needs - refer back page

Adequate and secure space should be provided for your dog while at home

Plan for your dog to be cared for when going on holidays.

Responsible dog ownership

Artist’s impression

Know where you can take your dogLost and Found Animals

Coombabah City Pound Shelter Road, Coombabah P 07 5581 7600 Monday to Friday: 8am – 5.30pm Saturday: 8am – 4.30pm

Stapylton Pound Rossmans Road, Stapylton P 07 3807 0580 Monday to Friday: 8am – 12.30pm

A comprehensive list and detailed maps of dog off leash and prohibited areas are available at cityofgoldcoast.com.au/dogparks.

To ensure the natural wildlife remains protected, dogs are not allowed in conservation areas and hiking trails.

Animal Holding Pens - Boowaggan Road, Merrimac - Rossmans Road, Stapylton Monday to Sunday: Open all hours (not suitable for surrendered, sick or injured animals)

Animal Management

P 07 5667 5990 After hours contact 1800 637 000

Your local vet can assist with the following services:

• health check ups• treatment• desexing• microchipping• vaccination.

Off leash exercise areas are a great place to exercise and socialise your dog. Follow some simple rules to keep everyone safe.

• The person exercising the dog needs to physically be able to control the dog. • Dog must not cause a nuisance to others.• Keep your dog close to you. • Ensure your dog responds to your commands.

The City has regulations in place to ensure the health and safety of animals, the environment and the wider community.

Dogs that are untrained and unsocialised are often noisy, anxious and unpredictable.

Always observe and obey signage.

All pet owners have a duty to provide secure escape-proof fencing and enclosures. A roaming pet is in danger of becoming lost, injured or killed in a road accident, damage neighbouring property and may threaten people, other pets and wildlife.

Plan for your dog to be cared for when going on holidays.

Ensure your dog has identification - refer back page

Include your dog in your disaster management plans

Pets can be frightened of loud noises. Ensure your pet is safely contained in these situations.

Loud noises are scary!

Dog identification and return

Your dog needs...

Barking

The following items will assist with the identification and speedy return of your dog if it becomes lost:

To ensure the welfare and good health of your dog, it will need the following:

Excessive barking can be very annoying for neighbours. It is usually the result of boredom, anxiety, disturbances, discomfort or excitement. The following tips will assist to minimise the likelihood of your dog barking:

For further information, please visit cityofgoldcoast.com.au/peteducation

Dog toys

Immediately reward your dog when it stops barking

Consult with an animal behaviourist or vet

Bury dog biscuits

Screen open-style fencingRegular exercise

Identify when and why your dog is barking

Obedience training

Obedience trainingLeash and dog litter

tidy bagsHealth

Consult with an animal behaviourist or vet

Dog toys

City poundIdentification tag

A place to sleepSocialising

Exercise

Grooming

Food and water

Keep your contact details up to date

Collar and identification

Collar

Companionship

Registration tag

Love

Microchip

Secure fence

20-L

C-0

0815